Is an Aerolite Trailer with a 900-lb Tongue Weight too Heavy for a 2013 Ford F-150 When Using WD

Question:

My trailer is An Aerolite 282dbhs rated for 900lb tongue weight, the truck is a 2013 f150 rated for 500lb. I use weight distribution provided by another company, the question is do I have a problem, they said it was fine. I am good on total weights, because the stuck is 400lb less than the trailer, it concerns me.

asked by: Freddie D

Expert Reply:

To confirm whether it is safe for you to pull your Aerolite with your 2013 Ford F-150 you can simply look at the weight rating on the trailer hitch itself. If you cannot find it then you can contact the manufacturer to see what it is rated.

Some trailer hitches have a weight rating that is increased significantly when a Weight Distribution (WD) system is involved in the towing setup. For example, the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver # 75691, which is confirmed to fit your F-150, has a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) rating of 6,000 lbs and a Tongue Weight (TW) rating of 600 lbs. When a WD system is used the GTW is increased to 12,000 lbs and the TW is increased to 1,200 lbs.

Please note that you will also want to check the towing capacity of your F-150 in your owner's manual to verify that it is rated high enough to pull your trailer.

If you check the weight ratings of your current trailer hitch and it is underrated then you can go with the Draw-Tite option I just mentioned, or you can install the higher rated Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C14002 instead. It is rated at 10,000 lbs GTW and 1,000 lbs TW. When a WD system is used those are bumped up to 12,000 lbs GTW and 1,200 lbs TW.

I have attached installation videos for both trailer hitches as well as a helpful article about weight distribution.

expert reply by: Jon G